Chin was last seen in Virginia Beach, Virginia on January 4, 1998. He left Lynnhaven Inlet at approximately 2:00 p.m. for what was supposed to be a three-hour fishing trip close to shore. He was sailing a 23-foot Robalo boat called the Formosa. Chin never returned to shore and has never been heard from again. At 10:00 a.m. the next day the Formosa was found 40 miles offshore, moving slowly, its motor still running. Fishing gear was aboard and there were no indications that the boat had overturned or been swamped, but Chin was gone. An extensive search of the ocean turned up no sign of him. He is presumed to have died in a mishap at sea.